Wheel-tire.



H. F. SPBLSHOUSE.

WHEEL TIRE. APPLIoATroN FILED un. 1. 191'3.

Patented May 12, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

' lma" WITNESSES:

-H. F. SPELSHOUSB.

WHEEL TIRE. APPLIOATION FILED AP11.1. 1913.

' 1,096,467. PatentedMay 12,1914.

3 BHEBTHHEET 2.

w/mfssf: f4 2.5 /N vfmrof? E. F. SPELSHOUSB.

WHEELA TIRE. ATPLIoATIoN FILED APB. 1. 1913,

Patented May 12, 1914 a sHBnTs-snnn'r'a.

WITNESSES: INVENTOI? g2.) wddI/Jpehm UNITED sTATEs PATENT orricn.

HOWARD F. SPELSHOUSE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY HESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 TENSION TIRE COMPANY, 0F W'JILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A COL romTI'oN or DELAWARE.

WHEEL-TIRE.

Patented- May 12, 19141.

Applicant@ inea April' 1`, 191s. serial Humacao.

and thel tire under the yielding action of the elastic member.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable and eiiic-ient means to connect the elastic member to the telly and to the rim; and a further object ofmy v invention is to associate the parts in a manner to increase the efficiency of the elastic member in yieldingly supporting the felly within the rim.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention: Figure 1, is a transverse section through a portion ot a tire embodying my invention. Fig. l2, is a view of a portion of 'the tire, partly in section and partly in side elevation. Fig. 3, is a side elevation of the pair of clamping rings for clamping one edge of the elastic member. Fig. 4, is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 8, including a part of the elastic member and showing the spreading device engagednvith .one of .the clamping rings. Fig. 5, is a view similar to Fig 4, omitting one ot `the clamping rings. Fig. 6, is a side elevation of one of theclainping rings for clamping the central portion of the-elastic member. Fig. 7 1s a section on line 7-7 of Fig. (i.

Referring to the drawings. 8 designates a rigid annular telly, 9 a rigid annular' rim surrounding the felly in spaced relation thereto, and 10 an annular `elastic member interposed bet-Ween the telly 8 and the rim 9.

The rim 9 is preferably formed of steel aud comprises an annular body portion 11,

U-shaped iu cross section, and annular flanges 12 extending outwardly from the-` sides'of the body portion. Surroundin the rim 9 and fitted to theouter faces o the body portion 11 and flanges'12 thereof is a shoe or tread ortion 13 formed of rubber or other suita le material which may be cemented or otherwise secured to the rim.

As an additional means to retain the shoe' 13 on the rim 9, I embed layers of canvas 14 inthe shoe and extend the canvas around expansible and contractible rings 15 which varealso embedded in the shoe 13 adjacent the fianges 12. Each ring 15 isvsplit providmgadjacent ends which are oppositely screw threaded and are engaged by a turnbuckle 16. By turning the turnbucklesl the rin 15 may be contracted to draw them and t canvas 14 Atoward the flanges 12, thereby drawing the inner portion of the'shoe 13 tight against the rim 9. The shoe 13 is provided with slots or openings 17 adjacent the turnbuckles 1G to afford access thereto.

Formed in the inner portions of the flangesI 12 are inwardly-opening annular grooves 18 in which are seated annular ribs 19 formed on the edge vportions of the elastic member 10. Each rib 19 -is clamped within its groove 18 by a pair of clampmg rings 20 and 21. The rings 20 and 21 of each pair are alike in every particular excepting that the pairs are made right and lett, as shown, and therefore a description of one pair will suffice for both, as follows: The ring 20 embraces the rib 19 and its outer edge portion extends into the groove 18, and the ring 21 embraces and is seated on the ring 20, as shown. The ring 21 is split providing adjacent end portions 22, and the ring block 28 being the same shape, in cross section, as the ring 20. In clamping the rib 19 within the groove 18, the rib 19 is first placed within the groove and the ring 20 is the rib within the groove 18. Tothus force' 490 20vis split providing end portions 23 between which a block 28 is inserted, the

the end portions of the ring 20 apart I provide a suitable tool 24, as shown in Fig. 4. This tool comprises a turn-buckle 25 and two hook-like members 26, havingl oppositely screw threaded shanks which are screwed into the ends of the turn buckle.

' By Ainsert-ing the free ends of the members 26 into openings 27 in the end' portions 23, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and then turning the turnbuckle 25 the ring 2O may be .readily expanded to clamp the rib 19. After the ring 2() has been expanded as just described the block 28 is inserted between the end portions 23 and the tool 24 is removed from the ring 20, leaving the end portions l23 engaged with the block 28 which holds the ring in the expanded condition. This beingdone, the ring 21 is placed to extend around the inside of the ring20 with the end portions 22 of the ring- 21 lapping each other. The members 26 of the tool 24 are then passed through slots 29 inthe ring 21 and'again inserted into the openings 27 in the ring 20, as shown in Fig. 5, and the turn buckle 25 is again operated to force the end portions 23 of the ring 20 apart and away from the ends of the blockl 28 and expand the ring 20. While 'the tool 24 holds the ring 20'ithus expanded, a tool likel the tool 24 isengaged with openings 30 in the lapping end portions 22 of the ring 21 'and it is expanded until its endportions are brought into position to abut against each other, as shown in Fig. 3. The tool 24 is then removed from the'openings 27, and the pressure of the compressed rib 19 contracts the ring 2O until the contraction thereof is stopped by the ring 21 before the end portions -23 offthe ring 2O come into contact with the ends of the block 28, and thus the ring 21 -holds the ring 2() sufficiently ex` panded to compress the rib 19 and irmly clamp it within theA groove 18.

To prevent liability of the end portions-22 of the ring 21 being accidentally displaced toward the center of the ring, I provide pins 31 which extend through alined holes in the ring-.20 and end portions 22 of the ring 21 and have heads 32 on the inner ends thereof which are pressed against the inner face of the. ring 20-by the ielding rib 19. When the ring 21 is applic to the ring 20 the pins 31 are forced back against the yielding rib 19 until the openings in the ring 21 come into registry with the pins 31, then the pins 31 are forced out into the openings by the pressure of the rib 19.

The central portion of the elastic member 10 is made in the form of an annular rib 33 parallel to the ribs 19; and surrounding the member 10 and outer portion. of the rib 33 is a ring 34 which has a groove 35 formed in its inner facein which the outer portion of the rib 33 is seated, The inner' portion of the rib 33 is seated in a groove 36 in the outer portion of a ring 37 which surrounds the felly 8. The ring 37 is split providing end portions 38 between which a block 39 is inserted, the block 39 being the same shape, in cross section, as the ring 37. The rib 33 is clamped between the rings 34 and 37. Normally the end portions 38 of the ring 37 are closer together than asv shown in the drawings; and in this contracted condition of the ring' 37 it may readily be applied to the inner portion of therib 33. After being applied tothe rib 33, the ring 37 is expanded by a tool similar to the tool 24 which is inserted into openings 40 in the y end portions 38 of the ring 37 andthe end portions 38 are thereby spread apart a distance slightly greater than that shown,

whereupon the block 39 is inserted andthe end portions 38 are released and allowed to abut against the ends of the block 39 which holds the ring 37 in expanded condition. The expanding of the ring 37 compresses therib 33 between the rings 34 and 37 and firmly clamps the rib 33 thereto. To prevent accidental displacement of the block 39 I provide a pair of plates 41 and 42 longer than the block 39 and engaged with the respect-ive side faces of the block 39 and ring 37, and I secure them together by means of a bolt 43 extending transversely .therethrough, the plate 41 having projections 44 which enter the openings 40 and openings in the plate 42.

The ring 37 is secured to the felly 8 by means of transverse bolts 45 extending through the felly and provided with parts which engage wedge members 46 and 47 interposed between the ring 37 andthe fellyv ber member 10 extends through the spaces between its securing means on lines parallel to the axis of rotation of the felly 8, and it follows, therefore, that all parts of the member 10 betweenv its securing mea-ns'will be stretched during either up or down movements of the felly 8 with relation to the rim 9.

To prevent the.y rib 33 from being accidentally displaced from between .the rings 34 and 37, I provide the rib 33 with spaced pins or members 49 formed of metal or other non-elastic material and embedded in the rib. These pins 49 cross each other in alternate succession and each pin 49 extends into the grooves 35 and 3G and is set at an imam? angle extending from one side of one groove to the opposite side ofthe other groove, as shown.

In assembling the parts of the tire, the central ortion of the member is secured to the ring 37 before the rings 20 and 21 are applied to secure t-he edge portions of the member 10 tothe rim 9, and I proceed as follows: I first spring the ring 34 into the annulai` channel 50 in the rim 9, I then place the member 10 within the ring 34, and then place the ring 37 within the member 10 and expand the ring 37 and clamp the rib 33 between the rings 34 and 37. This being done, I apply the rings 20 and 21 to clamp the ribs 19 or edge portions of the member 10 to 'the rim 9, as previously explained, and I then secure the ring 37 to the felly 8, as described.

I claim:

1. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto, a ring surrounding the felly between it and the rim, an expansible and contraptible ring surrounding the felly between 1t andthe first named ring, an annular elast-ic member having a part located between said rings, the second named ring being expanded and clamping said member between 4said rings, means for holding the second named ring in expanded condition, means for securing the second named ring to the felly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rim.

2.4 The combination of a rigid annular felly, ar rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movablerelatively thereto, a ring surrounding the fellyv between it and the rim, a. ring surrounding thefelly between it and the first named rin and having a split 'therein providing adjacent end portions movable from and toward each other to expand and contract the ring, anv annular elastic member having a art located between said rings, the secon named ring being expanded and clamping said member between said rings, a block located between the end portions of the second named ring, means for holding said block in place, means for securing the second named ring to the felly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rim.

3. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto, a ring surrounding the felly between it and the rim, a ring surrounding the fellv between it and thefirst named ring and having a split therein providing adjacent end portions movable from and toward each other to expand and contract the-ring, an annular elastic member having a part located between said rings, the second named ring being expanded and clamping said member between said rings, plates engaging the side faces of said ring and said block and holding said block in place, means for holding said plates in place, means for securing the second named ring to the felly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rim.

4. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto, a ring surrounding the felly between it and the rim and having an annular groove formed therein, an expansible and contractible ring surrounding the felly between it and the first named rin an elastic member having an annular rib ormed thereon and seated in said groove, the second named `ring being expanded and clamping said rib between said rings, means for holding the second named ring in expanded condition, means for securing the second named ring to the telly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rim.

5. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto, a ring surrounding the felly between it and the rim and having an annular groove formed therein, an expansibleand contractible ring surrounding the felly between it and the first named ring and having an annular groove formed therein, an elastic member having an annular rib formed thereon and seated in said grooves, the second named ring being expanded and'clamping said rib between said rings, means for holding the second named ring in expanded condition, means for securing the second named ring to the felly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rim.

6. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto, a ring surrounding the felly between it andthe rim and having an annular groove formed therein, a ring surrounding the felly between it Vand the first named ring and havingan annular groove formed therein facing the groove in the first named ring, an elastic member having an annular rib formed thereon and'seated in said grooves, a non-elastic part embedded in said member and extending into said grooves, means for securing the second named ring to the felly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rim.

7. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the telly and movable relatively thereto, a ring surrounding the felly between it and the rim and having an annular groove formed therein, a rinr surrounding the felly between it and the first named ring and having an annular groove formed therein facing the groove in the first named' ring, an elastic member having an annular rib formed thereon-and seated in said grooves, and a Alion-elastic part embeddedl in said member and extending into said` grooves and set at an angle extending from one side of one groove to the opposite side of the other groove, means for securing the second named ring to the felly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to said rini.

8. The combination of a rigid annular telly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto and having an annular lgroove formed in one side thereof, an annular elastic member having an annular rib formed on one side thereof and seated in said groove, means for securing the other side of said member to said rim, means for securing said member to said felly, an expansible and contractible ring clamping said rib Within said groove, and an expansible and contractible ring seated on the irst named ring and holding it` in place.

9. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relativelyy thereto and having an annular groove formed in one` side thereof, an annular elastic member having an annular rib formed on one side thereof and seated in said groove, means for securing the other side of said member to said rim, means for securing said member to said felly, an expansible and contractible ring clamping said rib Within said groove, and a ring seated on the firstI named ring and holding it in place, the second named ring having la split therein providing adjacent vend portions movable from and toward each other to expand and contract the ring, said end portions abutting each other and .holding the second named ring in expanded condition.

10. The combination vof a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim surrounding the felly and movable relatively thereto and having an annular groove formed in one side thereof, an annular elastic member having an annular rib formed on one side there-y of and seated in' said groove, means for se curing the other side of said member to said rim, means for securing said-member to said felly, an expansible and contractible ring clamping said rib Within f said groove, a ring seated on the first named rin and holding it in place, the second name ring having a split therein providing adjacent end portions movable from vand toward each other to expand and contract thering, said end portions abutting each other and holding the second named ring in expanded condition, and pins extending through said noeaaei rings and preventing displacement of said end portions.-

11. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annular rim'surounding the felly and movable' relativel thereto and having an annular oove ormed in one side thereof, an annu ar elastic member having an annular rib formed on one side thereof and seated in said groove, means for securing the lother side of said member to said rim, means for securing said member to said telly, an expansible and contractible ring clamping said rib lWithin said groove and having a4 split therein providing adjacentv end portions, a block located between said l end portions and adapted to abut? against the same, and means for holding said block in place. p

12. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid annularrim surrounding the felly and vmovable relatively '-1 thereto and having an annular groove 'formed in one side thereof, anannular elastic member having an annular rib formed on one side thereof and seated in said groove,means for securing the other side of said memberto said rim, means for securing said member to said telly, an expansible and contractible ring, clamping said rib 'Within said groove and having a split therein providing adjacent endportions, a block located between said end portions and adapted to abut fagainst .thel same, and an eXpansible and contractible ringvseated on the first named ring and extending over said block and holding them in place.

13. 'The combination ofy a rigid annular felly, `a rigid annular rimvsurrounding'the -felly and movable relativel thereto, said rim being substantially U-v aged vin cross section, providing an annularc 1annel there- Y 'said :telly and said ring forclamping said member to said ring, means for securing said clamping means to said telly, and means for securing a part of said elastic member to i said rim. j

14. The combination of a rigid annular felly, a rigid 'annular rimy ysurrounding the telly and movable relatively thereto, said rim being substantially 1-shaped in cross section, providing an annular channel therein, a ring surrounding the fellyfbetween it and the rim and having an outside diameter greater than the smallest vdiameter of the rim, said ringbeing capable of being sprung into said channel, an eXpansible and contractible ring surrounding the elly between it and the first named ring, an annular elastic member having a partllocated between said rings, the second named ring being eX- In testimon whereof I affix my signature panded and clamping said member between in presence o two witnesses. said rings, means for holding the second HOWARD F SPELSHOUSE 'named ring in expanded condition, and means for securmg the second named rmg Wltnesses:

to the felly, and means for securing a part A. V. GROUPE, of said elastic'member to said rim. S. I. HARPER. 

